O'Connor credits "very influential" Davy

Wexford's Rory O'Connor says they'll be no lack of belief within the Slayneysiders' squad when they embark on their championship campaign this weekend.

First up for the Model men is a Leinster SHC home clash with Dublin on Sunday afternoon and, speaking ahead of the game at Innovate Wexford Park, O'Connor has lauded manager Davy Fitzgerald for the self-belief he has driven into the group.

"He'd nearly convince a girls' U10 rugby team that they'd beat the All Blacks. He'd really have you gunning for whoever you're playing," the St Martin's man is quoted saying by GAA.ie.

"He's definitely been very influential. He'll give you little one-on-one tips. He's always focused on the individual player and will always have something different for different players. In that regard he's very helpful.

"I'd put a lot down to mindset. All of these teams are fairly equivalent when it comes to hurling. It's whoever has the desire and really wants it the most."

On his county's chances of claiming a first provincial crown since 2004, the young attacker added: "Yeah, it seems to be a possibility now at this stage. For the last couple of years it wasn't, it was very far out of our reach. But now we're up there competing with the likes of Kilkenny and Galway and Dublin.

"But we're only focusing on the first match against Dublin. That will be a massive, massive match."